Shifting the focus elsewhere—
Kasumigaoka Utaha had now officially entered high school, where she and Busujima Saeko were finally attending the same school. As fellow students on the same campus, the two of them were now spending far more time together than they ever had before.
It was a bit of a shame they hadn't been assigned to the same class, but that wasn't really a big problem.
Having a close, like-minded friend to talk with during lunch breaks was already a blessing for both of them.
Compared to middle school, Utaha's daily campus life hadn't changed all that much.
As the top-scoring student among the incoming freshmen, she had been chosen to give a speech during the opening ceremony. That moment had earned her instant visibility, and once actual classes began, there was rarely a moment when she wasn't surrounded by classmates—boys and girls alike.
But because Utaha was someone who preferred peace and quiet, she found the constant attention exhausting. The noisy atmosphere held no appeal for her.
And the never-ending stream of confessions was the worst of all.
There was no way she would ever accept them. In fact, she didn't even bother paying them much mind.
She was long accustomed to fine delicacies; how could the coarse meat of wild boars ever tempt her again?
"…Ha. Calling the boys chasing you 'wild boars' is going a little too far, don't you think?"
It was lunchtime.
The rooftop of the classroom building.
The day was overcast, with a cool breeze drifting gently across the rooftop, pleasantly refreshing.
Busujima Saeko and Kasumigaoka Utaha stood side by side at the railing, each holding their own bento.
Hearing Utaha's grumbling, Saeko couldn't help letting out a soft laugh.
"But that's the truth," Utaha sighed, recounting her past few days since school started. "They're all hopeless dreamers. They run up in the hallways or the courtyard and blurt out, 'I like you, Kasumigaoka-san, please go out with me.' Honestly, it makes me question their basic intelligence.
"If some stranger suddenly came up to me on the street and started talking, I'd immediately suspect they were a scammer or up to no good, so I'd ignore them. And yet here they are, demanding a relationship—as if something so important in life could be agreed to without thought, preparation, or even knowing each other properly. Impossible."
After finishing a bite of tamagoyaki, Saeko swallowed, then said gently, unhurriedly,
"That's only because you're too dazzling, Utaha. You're so talented and beautiful that of course the boys can't help themselves. To them, you're a flower blooming high on a cliff."
"Don't tease me with that 'flower on a high cliff' nonsense. If anyone fits that description, it's you." Utaha shot back with a sly smile. "You became the kendo club captain within your very first week. I've already heard my classmates talking about it several times."
Saeko shook her head helplessly. "That wasn't something I wanted. After I joined, the former captain insisted on a best-of-five sparring match against me. When he lost, he insisted—publicly—that I should take his position. I refused, but he literally stayed kneeling on the floor until the advisor stepped in. At that point I had no choice but to agree."
"I actually think he made the right call. Leadership belongs to those most capable."
"My swordsmanship, yes, I have confidence in. But being captain isn't just about strength—it requires the ability to unite people, to command respect and camaraderie. As a freshman, I know some upperclassmen won't accept me, and that could hurt club unity. So I've been thinking, once the time is right, I might return the position. I don't particularly care for titles anyway."
"You always overthink these things, Saeko." Utaha waved her chopsticks. "Maybe your appointment was actually the consensus of the entire club. Just take the role for now. If someone truly objects later, deal with it then. You'll have plenty of time."
"…I suppose that makes sense."
"Speaking of which, I bet you've had confessions too lately, haven't you?"
"Two of them," Saeko said, glancing briefly at the sky.
"Only two?" Utaha blurted out in surprise.
Realizing how that might sound, she quickly corrected herself. "Not that I don't believe you—it's just surprising. I mean, you're so beautiful, Saeko."
Girls often complimented each other, but usually half of it was empty flattery. Not this time. Utaha truly meant it.
She admired Saeko's feminine charm: outstanding swordsmanship, skilled in cooking, humble, and kind.
Even without marriage or children, she gave off the uncanny impression of someone who instinctively understood what it meant to be a perfect wife.
Such qualities would win over men and women alike.
Utaha thought to herself: if she hadn't already given her heart to someone else, spending too much time around Saeko might very well bend her the other way.
Saeko chuckled softly at the praise. "That's kind of you to say, but I think your charm is even greater, Utaha."
"Only when it comes from you does that kind of line feel… weird." Utaha smiled wryly. In truth, she never felt completely confident standing beside Saeko.
Lately, Saeko had even begun to exude a subtle but undeniable air of maturity, making her presence even more captivating.
Utaha tried to brush the thought aside as her imagination.
"I want to know—how did you turn down those two confessions?" she asked suddenly, curious.
"Nothing worth mentioning." Saeko had already finished her lunch and closed her box. "The first boy confessed, so I told him I wasn't interested in anyone weaker than me. He got excited and challenged me to a kendo match… and lost quickly.
"The second was a judo club senior. Huge guy, looked strong. Apparently he'd heard some rumor that I only dated people stronger than me. He insisted on sparring—barehanded against me with a shinai. His attitude was rude, and it was interfering with club practice. So I… gave him a little lesson."
"I knew it…" Utaha sighed.
So Saeko used brute force to chase them off.
Well, that explained everything.
Utaha almost envied her. What a simple, effective solution to unwanted confessions.
Unlike her own approach—cold eyes, cold words, flat rejection. Too little force. Sometimes it even excited the more… eccentric types.
She sighed inwardly and kept eating quietly.
Meanwhile, with her lunch packed away, Saeko turned her gaze from the distance back toward Utaha. Her eyes, lately troubled by private thoughts, had taken on a peculiar glint.
"No matter whether it's just a glance or a closer look… Utaha, you're a true beauty."
The compliment came out of nowhere.
"You won't get anything out of flattering me like that, you know," Utaha joked, thinking it was just casual girl talk.
But then she realized something was off.
"I'm not flattering you—I mean it," Saeko said, leaning slightly closer, her deep blue eyes shining. "Your long, lustrous hair. Your delicate features. The perfect curve of your chest, your smooth skin that looks soft enough to melt under a touch. And your slim waist… plus, when I'm this close, there's this faint sweet scent on you, like honey mixed with flowers."
As she spoke, Saeko's fingers brushed Utaha's hair, then lightly touched her cheek, testing the softness of her skin.
"Uh… Saeko, you…"
Utaha stiffened. Now she was truly uneasy.
Friendship between girls never went this far. Compliments were one thing—but touching her face? That was something else.
Saeko, however, seemed oblivious to her discomfort. She kept observing her with frank admiration.
"And then there's your choice of tights," she added. "Not the knee-highs or thigh-highs most girls go for, but full black pantyhose. On anyone else it might look awkward, but on you it's perfect. Your legs are gorgeous—just like a heroine stepped right out of a manga."
"Saeko… maybe… stop complimenting me like that…"
I'm getting scared here…
Utaha edged back half a step.
What had started as unease was now shifting into genuine alarm.
Her writer's imagination went wild—if Saeko actually tried something here on the rooftop, what chance did she have to escape? Against Saeko, she had no chance of resisting, none of escaping.
She drew in a sharp breath, forced herself to meet Saeko's gaze, and asked, "Saeko… what exactly are you trying to say?"
Saeko only smiled calmly. "Nothing special. Just that it's perfectly reasonable for you to have so many admirers. There's plenty of reason for it."
"…."
Utaha didn't feel any better.
"I have a suggestion," Saeko said, raising one finger.
Utaha's heart leapt into her throat.
Not that. Please don't let it be that…!
"Since you're so troubled by these persistent confessions, why not come up with a reason that makes it impossible for them to keep trying? A clear, undeniable fact that crushes their fantasies once and for all."
"…!"
So you're going to propose we pretend to be a couple? Make it look like I don't like men, but secretly…
I've seen this cliché a thousand times…
Utaha tensed, watching silently, waiting.
But Saeko continued, unfazed. "Have Senya help you."
"I refuse—wait, what?" Utaha blinked, caught completely off guard.
Saeko nodded firmly. "Yes. Ask Senya. Even if he's a public figure now and can't get too involved, all he needs is to wear a mask, pick you up after school a few times, and act a little close. That way people will think you already have a boyfriend. It should be enough to drive them off."
"…."
Utaha just stared at her.
This time, Saeko grew self-conscious under the stare. "What is it? Did I say something wrong?"
Utaha shook her head, set her bento down, and suddenly hugged Saeko tightly.
Saeko froze, surprised.
Utaha whispered an apology, confessing her own pettiness. "Sorry, Saeko. My imagination ran too far."
"…Imagination?"
Utaha didn't explain—too embarrassing. She just hugged her tighter. "Nothing. I'm just really glad I met you. That we're friends."
"…Heh. Me too."
"Promise me—we'll always be best friends, no matter what happens in the future."
"Of course."
Utaha pulled back, smiling again, lighter at heart. "Your idea's great. This weekend, I'll talk to Senya and see if he has time."
Saeko pulled out her phone. "No need to wait. Let's just ask him now."
She messaged him right there.
Almost immediately, Senya replied:
I can't today, I've got a magazine cover shoot. But tomorrow or the day after, I'm free. What's up?
Saeko handed her phone to Utaha.
"Do you want me to explain, or will you do it yourself?"
Utaha stared at the screen, then at Saeko.
Half a lifetime without meeting a true friend… and now this.
She hugged Saeko again. "Even if we end up far apart because of work or life, we have to meet up at least once a month, no matter what."
"…Heh. Sure."
Utaha's behavior was odd, but Saeko's plan was moving forward smoothly.
…